Ex-CSI player Glennerster creates a baseball 'Dynasty'

Bobby Glennerster Jr. remembers brain-storming with his father and uncle three years ago as he began to plant the seeds for a new elite travel baseball organization.

Fresh from the campus of the College of Staten Island, where he blossomed as a four-year starter on the diamond and was the school’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2006, the Great Kills resident suddenly stopped in his tracks during the informal family meeting.

"I said, ‘I want to start a dynasty,’ " recalled Glennerster. "I wanted to start something that was going to be around for a long while and would impact young baseball players and their futures."

So began the New York Dynasty, which has grown to facilitate two teams — age groups 15-16 and 17-18 — with plans to add a third squad of younger players as early as next summer. From a humble beginning of 12 players, the Dynasty now boasts 40 with eyes on expansion.

Their mission statement spells out clear-cut goals:

* Make a positive difference in the lives of players so that they will reach their highest potential in the classroom, on the field, and in life.

* Provide committed players with opportunities to showcase themselves to the collegiate and professional scouting communities as not only baseball players, but as respectful young men.

* Try and find the right fit academically and athletically for each individual player for college.

* Surround the organization with individuals who are confident, competent, caring, respectful, and strive to meet the standards of excellence.

"We take it very seriously," said Glennerster. "We want to play the game the right way, and really guide these kids to college and beyond."

The teams are comprised entirely of Staten Island players, with six graduating seniors on the 17-18 team committed to play collegiately — Matt Abramowitz (McKee/S.I. Tech) at Adelphi; Chris Ahern (Moore Catholic) and Neil Connelly (Moore Catholic) at Briarcliffe; Nick Abbruzzese (Tottenville) at Lehigh; John Duffy (McKee/S.I. Tech) at SUNY-Purchase; and Joe Mendez (Monsignor Farrell) at St. Joseph’s, Brooklyn.

"We help with whatever we can," said Glennerster, "from setting up college admission, to financial aid papers, to the NCAA Clearinghouse process. And I keep track of how they’re doing in school."

New York Dynasty conducts "college-style" practices and uses New Dorp High School as its home-field. The older squad travels to a handful of regional competitions, including tournaments at Temple University and the University of Maryland, as well as at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J. The season concludes this weekend during a travel event at Baseball Heaven in Long Island.

"From the start, I’ve wanted to do it right," said Glennerster, who enlists local coaches to fill the Dynasty staff. "These are young kids who find out that there are decisions to be made when they’re in high school. It all happens very quickly and the whole process can be confusing and intimidating at the same time.

"Hey, I consider myself a 25-year-old kid. I know what they like and what they’re thinking. I still play baseball in a men’s league. I think I can be someone who reaches out to these guys and points them in the right direction."

(For further information on New York Dynasty, call 646-423-1550 or visit NYDynasty.net)